Kentuck Festival to draw thousands to Northport this weekend

Kentuck Festival goers take a break from browsing during the 40th annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts in Northport last year. Kentuck is being held on Saturday and Sunday.

Michelle Lepianka Carter | Tuscaloosa News

By Sophia JonesSpecial to Tusk

Published: Friday, October 19, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 9:31 a.m.

Steeped in Southern art, music and tradition, the 41st annual Kentuck Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday at Kentuck Park in Northport. More than 270 artists and expert craftspeople will unite under the trees to present their work and interact with art enthusiasts. Thousands will travel from all over Alabama and the country to celebrate Southern heritage.

“The Kentuck Festival draws people from around the corner and around the country,” said Kentuck Executive Director Jan Pruitt. “When people ask about what there is to do, see and be part of in this part of the world, Kentuck is a positive thing we can point to. I’m proud that we have gotten national recognition for a festival that appreciates some of what is best and most interesting in Southern culture.”

Last spring, Kentuck was named one of the nation’s “Top 10 Arts Festivals of 2012” by American Style Magazine. Also a local favorite, Kentuck was voted “Best Festival in Tuscaloosa” by Tuscaloosa Magazine this year.

The Kentuck Art Center, located in Northport year round, puts on the festival during the third weekend of October each year. The festival will run from 9-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Kentuck Park, 3501 Fifth Street. Ranging from folk to contemporary, the festival features a variety of artistic styles. The array of expert craftspeople attending the festival includes basket makers, woodworkers, blacksmiths, potters, quilters, glassblowers and jewelers, all of whom come to demonstrate their work and interact with festival-goers.

“A lot of Kentuck art is a celebration of nature and being related to the land,” Pruitt said. “We have demonstrating artists who show how they make their craft, things that once upon a time people everywhere did for themselves as a part of daily life. In our industrial society today, it’s easy to lose touch. To be reminded of these skills and their beauty, while getting an opportunity to interact with the artists ... that’s what makes Kentuck so interesting.”

The festival offers hands-on art-making for children, with free entry for those 12 and younger.

Self-taught folk artist Jack Beverland, who goes by Mr. B, has been traveling from his home in Florida as a Kentuck demonstrating artist for 16 years. Providing all the materials, Beverland works interactively with the children to make treasure boxes with a new theme each year. He estimated he’s worked with more than 600 children at Kentuck.

“Kentuck is the one highlight of my year,” Beverland said. “I look forward to it so much because when you are an invited artist, it means something to you. Everyone wants recognition, and that’s what I give these children through the treasure boxes. I tell them, ‘You are an artist. Be proud of what you’re doing, and do it the best you can.’ ”

This year’s festival will also feature 50 new artists, two new demonstrating artists and a new acoustic music venue.

“We wanted to get back to our roots in musical traditions,” Pruitt said. “The acoustic music venue will expose people to the kind of music you would have heard here in the early 1800s. The performers aren’t just going to perform, they will also explain where the music comes from, how they play it, and how it ties into Southern culture.”

Music will continue on the acoustic stage and the Brother Ben stage on the other side of the park. The stages will feature a capella singing, storytelling, African drumming, bluegrass, New Orleans jazz, Celtic fiddling and zydeco. The musical line-up can be found at www.kentuck.org.

The park will hold memorials in honor of Kentuck founder Georgine Clarke and longtime Kentuck volunteer Caroline Fritz. Visitors will have the opportunity to record their memories at the memorials.

The festival will also offer traditional Southern food such as ribs, catfish, chicken and barbecue. Vegetarian cuisine and gyros will also be available.

Pruitt, who has been Kentuck’s executive director for three years, will be leaving the center this year, the Thursday after the festival. Taking over her position will be Shweta Gamble, former design editor for The Tuscaloosa News.

“When they interviewed me for the position of executive director, they asked why I loved Kentuck,” Gamble said. “The thing I love about this place is — being someone who paints and loves art — every time I came to the Kentuck Festival, I would be inspired to go home and pick up my paintbrush. Kentuck brings a wonderful element to this community, and I’m excited for the future.”

Miz Thang, a visionary folk artist from Hawkinsville, Ga., finds inspiration for her spontaneous paintings and cut-outs from blues music and has been attending the festival since 1998.

“The people of Kentuck are my favorite thing about the festival,” Thang said. “The volunteers, artists and customers and always so friendly and make everyone feel welcome. You know when you’ve been on a long trip and you just want to go home? Kentuck is like coming home.”

Parking spots will be available in and around downtown Northport with free shuttles running every 15 minutes. The shuttles will pick up in four different locations: Shirley Place, across from the Kentuck center at 503 Main Ave.; Northport Baptist; adjacent to City Cafe and further south on Main Avenue past Dockside Apartments.

Kentuck tickets are $10 per day or $15 for a weekend pass, which must be purchased in advance. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. No pets, alcohol or smoking are allowed in the park. For information, see www.kentuck.org or call 205-758-1257. n

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